tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628325.post113038001905515429..comments2024-03-15T05:59:53.929-07:00Comments on Ambivalent Engineer: Dry Launch 2: LH2 vs KeroseneAmbivalent Engineerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16491915174390340818noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628325.post-1130426058831158882005-10-27T08:14:00.000-07:002005-10-27T08:14:00.000-07:00I don't think it is a good idea to use the stock m...I don't think it is a good idea to use the stock merlin engine.<BR/><BR/>For something on the scale of this (50 launches per mission), spacex or whoever the customer is could afford to use a good, regeneratively cooled kerosene/lox engine. That would also safe a lot of propellant. <BR/><BR/>A good candidate would be the russian NK-43 engines, which are marketed as AJ26-59 in the US and should be available at fairly low cost from the bankrupt kistler company. <BR/><BR/>It has a vacuum ISP of 348s and a very decent T/W ratio. Two of those should be able to resulting huge craft out of LEO without too many gravity losses. And one would still be enough, so the whole thing would have some engine out capability.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com